Teaching

Siobhan’s knowledge of Irish dance traditions has led her to teach and share with others through workshops, demonstrations, and panel discussions. She has taught master classes all over the United States at Boston College, Villanova University, Milwaukee Irish Fest and CelticFest Mississippi to name a few. In 2013, Siobhan was invited to participate in a panel discussion led by Mick Moloney at NYU’s Glucksman Ireland House as part of the first annual New York Trad Fest.

Her love of teaching stems from wishing to inspire her students to make their dancing something of their own. Music serves as the core of her lessons by ensuring that each of her students understands various layers of the structure of Irish traditional music and how to create dances to suit the music. Rather than just teaching a single technique, Siobhan pulls from her vast knowledge of percussive dance traditions to give her students a variety of tools to help them interpret the music and build their dancing in their own unique and creative way.

Siobhan is available for an array of workshops, demonstrations, and lectures. For inquiries, please visit the contact page or send an email to siobhan.i.butler@gmail.com.

Private Lessons

Siobhan currently offers a variety of private lessons, including in-person lessons, Skype lessons, and prerecorded video lessons. All private lessons are designed to suit the goals of the student and can be conducted for sean-nós dance or traditional Irish Step dance.

1. As she is at present based in Ennis, Clare, Ireland, Siobhan offers 30 and 60 minute private lessons in Ennis, which can be scheduled during the week and weekend, based on her availability.

2. Siobhan also teaches via recorded video lessons. This option is ideal for those with some sean-nós dance experience already and who are looking to have personalized lessons that they can use when it suits their schedule. Operating on a video exchange basis, the student initiates the lesson by sending Siobhan a short clip of them dancing, and any accompanying information such as questions or preferences for material. Within 1-2 days, Siobhan then creates a lesson just for you, giving you feedback and exercises to help with timing, musicality, and improvisation, along with approximately 3 steps broken down for you to learn. Should you like to commit to more than one video lesson, the process continues with the student sending another video clip, this time of them dancing the material learned from the previous video lesson. As these are designed specifically for you the student, Siobhan will happily work with you to create an appropriate lesson that fits with your goals.

For more information on either of her private lesson plans, please feel free to contact to Siobhan by email at siobhan.i.butler@gmail.com.

Masterclasses

Siobhan teaches workshops and masterclasses for beginners up to advanced level dancers in a variety of settings. She has taught extensively at many Irish festivals as well as Irish clubs and cultural centers, Irish Step dance schools, and small community workshops in homes and community centers.